Beth brace puts Black Cats into quarter-finals

Beth Mead scores one of her two goals against Man City'picture: Susan Gutteridge

Published:15:45Tuesday 03 April 2012

BETH Mead scored twice as Sunderland ladies brushed aside Manchester City to reach the quarter-final stage of the League Cup on Sunday.

Despite losing skipper Steph Bannon to an injury, The Black Cats took the lead after quick break down the right saw Sophie Williams cross for Mead (16) to turn smartly and strike her shot in off the post.

They had one or two scares at the back but Sunderland doubled their lead before the break and, unlike their male counterparts on Saturday, weren’t going to let slip a two-goal lead with their City opponents on the ropes.

Sunderland wrapped up the tie with a third goal before Mead completed the scoring with a clever lob over advancing keeper Brown.

Whitby Community College student Mead – who lives in Hinderwell – nearly grabbed a hat-trick but her shot scraped a post following a great through ball by Ellie Christon.